Energy saving and energy use are an increasingly important element of corporate social responsibility. All types of organisations - from private commercial enterprises right through to local authority educational and health service - are looking at ways to save energy, wherever possible. Air conditioning is seen as a consumer of energy, however with the improvement in efficiency of VRF and splits systems over the past two years, and the move to heat pump systems signify that the designers and end users have recognised the reduction in energy use these systems offer. On the other side of the coin it is possible to reduce running cost still further by managing HVAC equipment effectively whilst ensuring a comfortable environment for the building occupants by using modem integrated building management systems.

Emissions control

UK Government is struggling to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and is focusing on new legislation such as part L and L2 revision to is drive through a change in the way we look at building design. The struggle for designers is how to ensure that new and refurbished buildings can reach the 28 percent in CO2 emissions that is now required whilst still reaching the comfort levels in both heating and cooling levels required by building occupants.

Gas powered

So what are the choices? In real terms Global manufactures have been improving the efficiency of the new systems and we have seen COP figures rise from 2.8 to 4.0. This trend will continue until we reach the theoretical maximum that thermodynamics will allow. The real issue however is in the amount of CO2 that is produced by using electricity or gas (it is a little known fact that for every kWh of electricity used our power stations produce 440grams of CO2). New Gas engines technology has reduced these emissions to less than 50 percent and this technology is recognised in other regions of the world as a solution to the comfort versus environmental social responsibility conundrum.

This technology is available now in the UK and is gaining a well-deserved reputation as a proven, reliable, efficient, and cost-effective choice for space cooling. Unlike traditional electric powered VRF systems, GHP (Gas Heat Pump) technology utilises an open drive compressor driven by an internal combustion engine, which is powered by LPG or natural gas. This means that GHP outdoor units only require a single phase power supply to run auxiliary items such as controls and fans. Consequently, the estimated 40 percent of business properties in the UK for whom air conditioning was prohibitively expensive and energy consuming due to a lack of three-phase supply, can now benefit from this new technology.

The advanced and efficient design of GHP provides uninterrupted heating, even in outside temperatures of –20ºC, as the system doesn’t require a defrost operation like traditional VRF systems. Any waste heat from combustion is recovered and re-used to provide powerful heating at start-up and minimise energy loss.

As GHP uses gas as its source of heat, it consumes one tenth of the electrical power that is required to run a similarly sized electric heat pump, which results in an average cost saving of over 40 percent. Apart from the power supply, the technology is exactly the same as existing Sanyo VRF systems, with the added benefit of the indoor to outdoor capacity ratio ranging from 50 to 200 percent.

Electric Avenue

However, if an electric driven system is the system of choice, we should strive to select the most energy efficient systems available which will take advantage of DC inverter controlled technology and fully integrated control systems. These technological advances mean systems are available which introduce new levels of performance and efficiency to the UK air conditioning market. Specifically designed for commercial and retail applications, the ingenious design of these systems not only overcome the limitations associated with the installation of traditional split systems, but also offers the end user improved comfort and drastically reduced power consumption.

And many of these DC Inverter systems qualify for inclusion on the Energy Technology List and therefore for 100 percent first year enhanced capital allowances, where the total cost of the system and installation can be offset against taxable profits in the year of purchase. For further information, visit www.eca.gov.uk.

Enhanced Capital Allowances (ECAs) enable a business to claim 100 percent first-year capital allowances on their spending on qualifying plant and machinery. There are three schemes for ECAs:

• Energy-saving plant and machinery

• Low carbon dioxide emission cars and natural gas and hydrogen refuelling infrastructure

• Water conservation plant and machinery

Businesses can write off the whole of the capital cost of their investment in these technologies against their taxable profits of the period during which they make the investment.

This can deliver a helpful cash flow boost and a shortened payback period.

It is a matter of fact that scientists have recognised that CO2 levels are on the increase and governments around the world are beginning to introduce polices that will influence our day to day working and social lives. However, the HVAC industry has to recognise that we have to embrace the new legislation that government is introducing whilst understanding how to use new products and techniques to ensure the comfort of not only our customers but the rest of the world.

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